500 Horsepower! 1971 Plymouth Road Runner

Hiding in this garage is a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner that is anything but average. It would have offered respectable performance in its original form, but the seller has transformed it into a classic that doesn’t ask for respect…it demands it! The mechanical specifications include a range of desirable parts that deliver 500hp, but this classic does so while drinking pump fuel. The only thing it needs is a new home with someone who feels the need for speed.

Plymouth offered buyers in 1971 some pretty subtle and restrained shades on its color palette, but the Curious Yellow cloaking this Road Runner’s panels is guaranteed to draw attention. The listing suggests this is its original color, with the seller indicating it received a restoration to achieve the current presentation level. They don’t supply many shots providing a clear overview. However, those that are present paint a positive picture. The dazzling Yellow shines beautifully, contrasted by crisp and clean Black graphics. The panels are laser-straight, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The trim and glass are in good order, while the spoilers, hood pins, and Black steelies with dog dish hubcaps give this car a sense of purpose. Delving below the surface reveals that this Road Runner can live up to the hype.

The first owner ordered this Road Runner with a 383ci V8 that was teamed with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The engine delivered 300hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque, with the resultant 15.1-second ¼-mile ET acceptable for a muscle car from this era. However, those figures are now irrelevant, because the 383 is gone. In its place is a 440ci powerplant that was professionally built by renowned Mopar specialists, Hughes Engines. The list of components is mouthwatering, with the build including a 0.030″ bore, TRW pistons, a forged crankshaft, HP rods, a double-row timing chain, and an upgraded camshaft. We can forget 300hp because this baby churns out 500hp. Power feeds to an 8¾” rear end with 3.23 gears via a rebuilt A-727 automatic with a 3000 stall converter. It might be potent, but the seller kept one eye on practicality. This Road Runner would cause a stir at the local strip, but its ability to run perfectly on pump gas makes it an effortless street cruiser. The seller has invested over $60,000 in a turnkey classic the winning bidder can enjoy immediately.

Although the seller could have helped their cause by treating its carpet to a brief spot of attention with a vacuum cleaner, this Road Runner’s interior makes a positive impression. The Black vinyl trim is in good order, as are the dash, pad, console, and faux woodgrain. The lack of general wear makes me believe that this car’s interior may have received TLC when the repaint occurred. Aftermarket additions include a retro-style stereo and a set of under-dash gauges to monitor the health of the beast under the hood. Removing these would be easy, but I feel that supplementing the factory Rally gauge cluster with something with guaranteed accuracy represents cheap insurance.

If I am going to criticize anything about this 1971 Plymouth Road Runner, it is the seller’s supplied images. This classic deserves nothing but the best, but the photos are sadly lacking. It reinforces my belief that spending a few minutes on that part of the listing would show this car in the most favorable light possible. The seller has listed the Road Runner here on eBay in Asheboro, North Carolina. It has received twelve bids, although these have left it below the reserve at $20,000. How high will it go? How long is a piece of string? Originality is typically a key factor in any classic realizing its maximum potential in the market, but cars like this Road Runner write their own rules. What would you be prepared to pay for the privilege of parking this Plymouth in your garage?